Who will win the 2023 Vuelta a España

[Bonimenier]

For the fans watching on tv it will be amazing, for Jumbo though...

I don't see why this is an iffy concept or something, i.e. co-captaincy has often produced some funky stuff in GT's. I mean what do people expect? One Jumbo rider to take the red jersey & the other co-captain to just fall in line & choo-choo the team train all the way to Madrid?

For the fans on tv it would be absolutely tragic if they are the 2 best GC riders.

 

[Sciatic]

Juan motherfucking Ayuso. I think he will start slow, but be the best uphill on stages 13 and 14. I think those suit him brilliantly, the harder, the better. Thats my analysis of him as a rider anyways.

That’s going to be one of the many interesting elements to watch for in this Vuelta—to see how his climbing will compare with Ving-Rog-Remco in a GT.

 

[Sciatic]

Oh no, what if they‘re the two best riders, wouldn’t that be terrible for them?

One of those “gee, wish our team had a problem like that”

 

[Rackham]

For the fans on tv it would be absolutely tragic if they are the 2 best GC riders.

I don't know if I'm alone in this but for me the Vingegaard Vs Roglič duel within their dual captaincy is one of the most exciting (on paper) parts of this Vuelta.

I think it's going to be pretty intense tbh. FYI I totally expect Evenepoel to be at a stratospheric level & battle both but there's definitely potential for some fireworks between the Jumbo pair.

Especially in the Vuelta, i.e. which isn't the TdF. I'd be pretty amazed if one of them got the jersey & was immediately backed by the full team & Jumbo did a train all the way to the end.

 

[ice&fire]

Honestly, Soler kinda killed that meme on Col de la Loze.

You can interchange Simon and Adam Yates, but you can't do the same for Soler with and without Pogacar.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

I voted for Roglic for the win but I feel it’s far too easy to just pick the winner. How about a prediction game where players predict the top 5 and the winner’s prize is a weekend with RR and Netserk which involves them torturing the winner until they become a Roglic fan.
The Topcat Top 5:
1. Remco
2. Ayuso
3. Roglic
4. Vingo
5. Almida

Voting roglix to win but then predicting that he will be beaten by remco and ajuso. Covering all bases.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Only way I see Roglic or Vinge working for the other is if they’re out of form to even top 10, lose a lot of time from a mechanical or or crosswinds, or crash. Even then I’d expect them to go for stages themselves when possible.

A part of me hopes for a 2009 repeat of Roglic being the stronger of the two but the team supporting Vinge. Then hope that Evenepoel and Mas with Almeida and Ayuso are stronger than Wiggins, Nibali, Andy, and Frank were. Kuss can play the role of Klöden. That way we get a better battle than that 2009 Tour with 6 potential threats. Through in an in shape Bernal and the Vuelta could be the best GT this year.

 

[Netserk]

They wait for each other & work together.

That would be my guess. But I'll say the Roglič/Vingegaard entente will work best if Evenepoel poses a very real, credible GC threat all the way through the first two weeks. Co-captaincy is better when it's used to defeat a rival of equal or stronger strength.

My question is what happens if they're the two best riders in the race? That's when sh*t can hit the fan. It's a situation they've never been in before. Other than that, there's a whole load of little questions relating to who targets which stage & stuff like that, i.e. questions Jumbo will be working on right now. There's also questions relating to the red jersey, i.e. if one of Rog or Vinge has the jersey whilst the other is only 30 seconds or so behind (for example), then that rider might want freedom to attack the leader.

An extreme example of this type of scenario was the infamous Lance-Contador situation in the 2009 TdF When L.A. was desperate for yellow because he reckoned it would give him tactical immunity.

We saw that in Dauphiné last year. Ride off into the sunset together.

 

[Valv.Piti]

Stage 3 and especially stage 6 is plenty hard to already know what's up this race. Can't wait!

 

[Valv.Piti]

We saw that in Dauphiné last year. Ride off into the sunset together.

Apart from this time around Jonas probably won't spare Rogla.

 

[Lequack]

Horner also pitching in

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT4Z4i-ixq4

 

[KZD]

Horner also pitching in

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT4Z4i-ixq4

Lol dropping Pogačar to fourth place in his ranking of best riders just because he doesn't go to the Vuelta. So much disrespect for one-day races...

I think Jumbo will win this, either with Vingegård or Roglič. I vote for Roglič just because he is specifically preparing for this race since he won the Giro and he is a three time winner but that won't make him the best rider in the world... wouldn't be surprised if Vingegård wins of course and under normal circumstances I only see those two, Ayuso or Remco on the podium.

 

[BigCoward]

Considering how close the Giro was, the number of votes for Roglic compared to GT is disrespectful (a bit).

 

[Cookster15]

This Vuelta is when Vingegaard should return the favour to Roglic from 2022 TdF - Granon.

But I still think Pogacar is the best rider in the world regardless of who wins the Vuelta.

 

[Escarabajo]

Considering how close the Giro was, the number of votes for Roglic compared to GT is disrespectful (a bit).

For me there is a bit (or big) difference between this race and the Giro for GT. I feel like GT will pull an Andy Schleck here!.
Sorry, I just feel that way.

 

[HelloDolly]

Anyone who thinks Geraint Thomas will be an also ran will need to think again...beaten only by a great TT from Roglic at the Giro he will be there or thereabouts

Of course everything depends on Vingegaard and how he turns up but more importantly how he is in the 3rd week after such a hard Tour ..I think it maybe a step too far for Vingegaard to win this Vuelta

My vote is Roglic .. He know how to win this race
Hope Mas has some form ...should maybe come to fore in 2nd part of the race

Would like to see Uae and INEOS bring it to JV

 

[pelotonIQ]

My heart says Roglic because I enjoy seeing him race.
My brain says Roglic because he has had a lot of rest and seems to be freshest out of the GC bunch.

 

[Rob5091]

Good point about the length and layout of the ITT—I doubt someone like Mas will be able to stay as high in GC.

Why “red” sausage though? Is that some kind of Danish delicacy?

There are enough Danes here to explain the culinary delights of"Rød pølse"

 

[gregrowlerson]

I voted for Roglic for the win but I feel it’s far too easy to just pick the winner. How about a prediction game where players predict the top 5 and the winner’s prize is a weekend with RR and Netserk which involves them torturing the winner until they become a Roglic fan.
The Topcat Top 5:
1. Remco
2. Ayuso
3. Roglic
4. Vingo
5. Almida

So you voted for Roglic, but have only picked him for 3rd in the prediction game.

Does this mean that you are trying not to win the weekend away with RR and Netserk?

 

[gregrowlerson]

This Vuelta is when Vingegaard should return the favour to Roglic from 2022 TdF - Granon.

But I still think Pogacar is the best rider in the world regardless of who wins the Vuelta.

This Granon thing again?

It wasn't that selfless from Roglic as he already knew that with his condition due to crashes (in combination with time unfortunately already lost.....please do not talk about this again) that he was no longer a contender for yellow in Paris.

 

[hfer07]

If Primoz does not get into a crash/accident/injury, then he'll likely win it.

 

[Volderke]

There seems to be a lot of people thinking Roglic is better than Remco.
I think a good Remco is better than a good Roglic (see Catalunya and take into account the flat TT in this Vuelta).

The question is: we know Roglic is good (in terms of GC prep), but Remco didn't have a prep. as good as last year due to his other goals (world's and ITT prep)? Isn't Remco too musculated / heavy going into this Vuelta? On the other hand, he's a year older, and stronger. Roglic is a year older, and his age isn't in his favour, but he seems as strong and solid as ever.

 

[Cookster15]

This Granon thing again?

It wasn't that selfless from Roglic as he already knew that with his condition due to crashes (in combination with time unfortunately already lost.....please do not talk about this again) that he was no longer a contender for yellow in Paris.

Not saying Roglic was selfless or that he was a contender for the 2022 TdF. Simply saying he was a big factor in helping Vingegaard’s win that year.

I’d like to see Vingegaard help Roglic this time at the Vuelta.

 

[Faserr]

Bora-Hansgrohe:
Emanuel Buchmann, Nico Denz, Sergio Higuita, Lennard Kämna, Jonas Koch, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Aleksandr Vlasov, Ben Zwiehoff

 

[gregrowlerson]

Not saying Roglic was selfless or that he was a contender for the 2022 TdF. Simply saying he was a big factor in helping Vingegaard’s win that year.

I’d like to see Vingegaard help Roglic this time at the Vuelta.

If Jonas doesn't quite have the legs himself (which is entirely possible) then yes. But if he does, and he decides to ride for Roglic then he could be doing himself and the team a great disservice.